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Title: Israel Poised For Fresh Confrontation As New Activist Ships(MV Rachel Corrie) Sail For Gaza
Source:
DAILYMAIL UK
URL Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/wor ... il-Gaza.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Published: Jun 1, 2010
Author: DAILYMAIL UK
Post Date: 2010-06-01 12:33:50 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 388
Comments: 16
Israel faced new confrontation today as pro-Palestinian activisits sent two more boats to challenge its blockade of the Gaza Strip. In a new potential second flashpoint, Turkey - one of Israel's closest Muslim allies until the shootings of their citizens - was tonight reported to be considering sending a naval escort for the boats which would arrive in the region at the end of the week. Greta Berlin, of the Free Gaza Movement, which organised the flotilla now at the centre of the crisis, said it would not be deterred by the Israeli action and that another cargo boat was off the coast of Italy en route to Gaza. Reinforcements: The MV Rachel Corrie, a converted merchant ship bought by pro-Palestinian activists, set sail for Gaza from Malta today The MV Rachel Corrie, a converted merchant ship bought by pro-Palestinian activists and named after an American woman killed in the Gaza Strip in 2003, set off today from Malta, organisers said. It was carrying medical equipment, wheelchairs, school supplies and cement, as well as 15 activists, including Northern Irish Nobel peace laureate Mairead Corrigan-Maguire and Denis Halliday, an Irish former senior UN diplomat. A second boat carrying about three dozen passengers is expected to join it, Berlin said, adding : 'This initiative is not going to stop. 'We think eventually Israel will get some kind of common sense. They're going to have to stop the blockade of Gaza, and one of the ways to do this is for us to continue to send the boats.' Israeli officials said it was studying the lessons from the flotilla clashes and would be prepared to turn back any new challengers to the blockade. Tribute: Palestinian children hold up flowers to throw in the sea at Gaza City's port during a ceremony to remember the dead activists The flotilla was the ninth attempt by sea to breach the blockade Israel and Egypt imposed after the militant Hamas group violently seized the territory in 2007. Israel allowed five seaborne aid shipments to get through but snapped the blockade shut after its 2009 war in Gaza. Israel says the Gaza blockade is needed to prevent the Iranian-backed Hamas, which has fired thousands of rockets into the Jewish state, from building up its arsenal. It also wants to pressure Hamas to free an Israeli soldier it has held for four years. Critics say the blockade has failed to weaken Hamas but further strapped an already impoverished economy. It also has prevented Gaza from rebuilding after a devastating Israeli military offensive early last year. But Egypt, which has enforced the blockade with Israel since Hamas militants seized control of Gaza three years ago, said it was opening the border for several days to allow aid into the area. The governor of Egyptian's northern Sinai district, Murad Muwafi, said it was a humanitarian gesture meant to 'alleviate the suffering of our Palestinian brothers after the Israeli attack.' Hundreds of Gaza residents quickly gathered at the border. A steady stream of cars with suitcases on roof racks headed toward the border. Some families carrying packed luggage headed to the border by foot. Hamas police with assault rifles patrolled nearby to maintain order. 'We are working to help residents take advantage of this opportunity,' said Hamas Interior Ministry spokesman Ihab Ghussein. 'We hope it will be open all the time, not just as a response to yesterday's events,'
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 5.
#1. To: Brian S (#0)
The tie breaker here will be whether or not Turkey escorts the next convoy with Turkish Navy frigates.
The law of unintended consequences could kick in on Netanyahu's Katrina...aid to Pali's is militarized...
Netanyahu's opened a huge can of pestilence. SIDE NOTE: Obama gets a badly need break from the gulf oil spill crisis.
The Israeli's should sink this one on general principal alone....(laughing)
#6. To: Badeye (#5)
====================================== You're SLOW today. I expected that hours ago.
"principal" ??? LOL Further the 'bastard state some call israel' should be nuked on general principle alone...(chuckling)
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#2. To: HAPPY2BME-ONLF (#1)
#3. To: war, babeye, brians, mininggold, WhiteSands, A K A Stone (#2)
#5. To: HAPPY2BME-ONLF (#3)
The MV Rachel Corrie, a converted merchant ship bought by pro-Palestinian activists, set sail for Gaza from Malta today
Replies to Comment # 5. The Israeli's should sink this one on general principal alone....(laughing)
#9. To: Badeye (#5)
The Israeli's should sink this one on general principal alone....(laughing)
End Trace Mode for Comment # 5.
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